Please welcome my guest author today, Hope Lim with her newest picture book, Mommy’s Hometown.
Hope has a list that is personal, a group of Korean American picture book creators that have inspired her along her own author journey. We are also giving away a signed copy of Mommy’s Hometown. To enter, please use the Rafflecopter at the bottom.
6 Korean American Picture Books
I have known these Korean creators even before I became a published author. I continue to watch them create amazing books and want to shine a light on their latest work. They all share the same Korean heritage but the stories they create are diverse and unique reflecting their interests and sensibilities. I have put together a list of these talented Korean creators with a short summary for each book.
Mommy’s Hometown by Hope Lim, illustrated by Jaime Kim
Mommy’s Hometown is about a mother/child connection that transcends time and place; a
connection that is rooted in love and sharing. When a child visits his mother’s hometown,
everything there is different from what he imagines in her stories. After spending some time
with his mother, however, he eventually feels connected to the place and finds the beauty in what
remains in a city where the old and the new come together. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Sunday is Funday in Koreatown by Aram Kim
A fun, cute story about how someone dear to our hearts can turn anything, even a sequence of disappointing events, into something special and fun. This story makes me smile big in the end. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Lion Needs a Shot by Hyewon Yum
A witty and sweet story about how two siblings encourage each other to embrace a nervous visit to the doctor’s office, including getting shots, with step-by-step, thoughtful, and child-friendly advice. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
That’s My Carrot by Il Sung Na
A humorous story about how two rabbits’ mischief and rivalry around a single, gigantic carrot eventually bring them together, with the rewards of sharing and a newly formed friendship. [picture book, ages 2 and up]
Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story by Tina Cho, illustrated by Jess X. Snow
A fascinating and heartwarming tale about a grandma and granddaughter, who share the experience of deep ocean diving, while giving a rare glimpse into a Haenyeo’s life and challenges. [picture book, ages 5 and up]
Ready for the Spotlight by Jaime Kim
A charming story told from the perspective of a little sister who feels outshined by her older sister. This story of sibling rivalry and jealousy has a nice resolution of sharing the spotlight and appreciating each other. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Signed Copy of Mommy’s Hometown Giveaway!
We are also giving away a signed copy of Mommy’s Hometown. To enter, please use the Rafflecopter below. We can only mail to U.S. and A.F.O. addresses.
Hope Lim is the author of I AM A BIRD, illustrated by Hyewon Yum (Candlewick 2021), MY TREE, illustrated by Il Sung Na (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, 2021), Mommy’s Hometown, illustrated by Jaime Kim (Candlewick Press, 2022), and an upcoming picture book, AT THE WINDOW, illustrated by Qin Leng (Candlewick, 2025). She was born and raised in South Korea and now lives in San Francisco with her family and a dog named Bear. You can find Hope on Instagram @hopelim_sf, Twitter @hope_lim or www.hopelim.com.
p.s Related posts:
Korean American books for kids
I’m half Chinese and Japanese and I married a Korean. My first multicultural book lists were on these three ethnicities as a way to show my children their heritage. The Korean American culture is so strong in America that this first post went viral.
New Children’s Picture Books on Koreans and Korean Americans!10 Picture Books Celebrating Korean Culture
15 Great Korean Folk Tales for Kids
Top 10: Korean American Children’s Books (ages 2-16)
This is the first post of mine ever to go viral.
Discovering Korea for Kids with Kids’ Books, Art and Food
I wanted to learn more about my husband’s family history so this is a very personal journey of discovery.
Korean-American Picture Book Teaches Multicultural Lesson
I don’t often do individual book reviews but finding this great Asian American book at the library made me want to post on it.
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
- ⭐ Starred review from Kirkus
- ⭐ Starred review from Publishers Weekly
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal
- Kirkus: The Most Anticipated Children’s Books of Spring 2026
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Gold Award
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
The Traveling Taco:
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Silver Award
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
- Reading Rockets’ Summer Reading Guide 2025
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court
- ALSC Notable Children’s Book
- 2025 Carter G. Woodson Book Award Middle Level Honoree
- Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
- 2024 Julia Ward Howe Prize for Children’s Literature Winner
- California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book
- Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
- Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year 2025
- Recommended Reading for the Social Justice Literature Award 2025 (International Literacy Association)
- Pennsylvania Mountain Laurel Book Award Nominee 2026-27
- Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bank Street College’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
I read and loved I Am a Bird.
Thank you so much, Danielle!
Looking forward to reading the intergenerational story of Mommy’s Hometown.
Thank you so much, Sandra!
I am can’t get enough of the Korean MG books I’ve reviewed. Have reviewed “I Am A Bird” by Hope Lin. Mommy’s Hometown looks wonderful! Just saw a review the other day.
I have also been watching a lot of Korean movies on Netflix — The King’s Affection, One Hundred Days My Prince, and others. Very well done. Some have been translated, others have subtitles. So well done. Have learned a lot about the Joseon period. Have also watched an excellent Tamil movie and some Turkish movies. It’s been fun!
Thank you, Patricia! I would like to recommend MY MISTER. Paulo Coelho raved about it.
no fav
I so enjoyed MOMMY’S HOMETOWN.
Thank you so much, Leslie!
Thanks for this great list of books to check out! One of my favorite books with Korean themes and characters is Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee.
Thank you so much, Nicole!
Congrats, Hope! This book looks lovely, and I especially love your MY TREE & am the proud owner of a copy. Il Sung Na’s art for it is just stunning!
One of my favorites is WHERE’S HALMONI? by Julie Kim. I absolutely love her vibrant & powerful art for it!
Thank you, Maria! Il Sung’s art is amazing and touching! And I love WHERE’S HALMONI, too!
Hope, congrats on your newest picture book! I love that you write books so your children can celebrate their culture heritage. I’m Asian American (Filipino), and I think representation is so important. Thank you also for sharing your list of Korean American picture books. I’m an elementary school teacher in LA, and my school has Korean American students. I will check those books out to share with them.
Thank you so much, Lillie! I hope you and your students enjoy all these books!
Thanks for sharing this list – I’m especially excited to read Mommy’s Hometown and The Ocean Calls!
Thank you so much, Christine! Happy reading!
Juna’s Jar is really cute. Thanks for the giveaway, it sounds like a cute book!
Thank you so much, Julie!